Saturday, September 7, 2024
Our beloved Patty Sonntag Neumueller passed away May 21, 2024, at the age of 73, after a challenging battle with Parkinson's and Lewy Body Dementia, and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
A Celebration of Life for Patty will be held this fall at the Heartland Animal Sanctuary in Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you please donate to Heartland Animal Sanctuary on her behalf.
Please share your memories and follow funeral updates at www.cressfuneralservice.com
Patty was born in Fort Worth in 1950. She grew up in Lakeside and attended Azle High School. After graduation, she attended the University of Texas in Austin before moving with her family to Wisconsin in 1972 where Patty met her future husband, Ed. They both attended the University of Wisconsin and she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in sociology in 1974. Patty and Ed married in 1976, and welcomed their amazing son, John, into the world in 1987.
Patty had a great love for all people and animals in need and volunteered in many different organizations. She trained as an EMT, volunteered for many years at the WayForward Food Pantry, Dane County Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, a friend’s sheep farm and the Heartland Animal Sanctuary. In her career as a human resources director, she put her empathetic compassion into action, advocating for employees at Standard Imaging for 17 years. She retired in 2016.
Patty was an avid reader, enjoying biographies, history and the stories of James Harriet’s All Creatures Great and Small. Together, Patty and Ed enjoyed camping, hiking, birds, wildflowers and were unwavering supporters of many environmental and preservation efforts.
Both enjoyed trips to Sanibel Island, Florida and the California coastline, where they walked the wildlife refuges, entertaining their fondness for birds and enjoying shelling on the local beaches.
At home, Patty could often be found caring for her beloved dogs or in the garden tending to her flower beds. She and Ed frequently attended UW Badger sporting events and loved watching the Green Bay Packers.
She is preceded in death by her father, Larry Sonntag; her mother, Gemma Sonntag Neumueller; and father-in-law, Jack Neumueller; as well as sister, Mary (Dave) Waite; sister-in-law, Sharel Surles; brother-in-law Brian Bresser and 23 nieces and nephews.
Patty is survived by her husband, Ed; son, John; siblings: Steve Neumueller, Donna (Dick) Reinardy, Mike (Janis) Sonntag, Susie Sonntag, Mark (Henrietta) Sonntag, Joan (Mike) Moe, Mark (Kathy) Neumueller, Denise Bresser; and 23 nieces and nephews.
